Page 16 of Plaintive Vow

I don’t believe that.

Semyon’s only become more untamed the closer he’s gotten to Pavel. I can’t stand to be around him for more than a few minutes at a time, and I don’t even remember the last time we talked about something that wasn’t related to the Bratva.

But I’m not willing to risk betting that he’s just running his mouth, either.

The thought that something could happen to Blair is almost enough to paralyze me, and if something did happen and I didn’t do anything to stop it, I’d never forgive myself.

“Fine. But try to keep a level head when we’re there, alright? I can’t manage two hot heads at the same time.”

“Yeah, no problem,” he mutters. “Just remain calm around the guy threatening to kill the mother of my son. Should be easy.”

I should have expected that.

I stare morosely at the bottle of vodka for a moment before I twist the cap back on. So much for a calm afternoon.

“When and where?”

“Come to my place around eight. I’ll drive. You won’t have to worry about my damn mouth, yeah?”

I grunt. I’m sure Blair’s worked herself into a frenzy over this.

Knowing that she’s going to be at home with Niko, worried sick until Daniil gets back doesn’t sit right with me. “Do I need to get someone to watch your place while we’re gone?”

“No.” His answer is decisive. “Blair doesn’t know about any of this. Let’s keep it that way, yeah?”

I scoff. For a man who claims to know his wife, he doesn’t know anything about her. “I know you like to pretend that she’s an idiot, but if you’re this worked up, then she’ll know something’s up.”

She might not know exactly what, but she’ll know there’s something to worry about. She’s done a pretty good job of putting on her blinders and feigning ignorance, but she’s too smart for the box he wants her to fit into.

Watching her try is infuriating.

For a moment, I let myself wonder if the only reason they’re together is to keep her safe, if maybe Blair’s miserable in her relationship and hates all the shit she has to deal with.

Maksim won’t do anything as long as their vows work as a gag order. He thinks she’s a risk, but as long as she can’t be compelled to testify against Daniil, he’ll hold his tongue.

Maybe she doesn’t want their marriage. Maybe she feels like she needs it.

Then I remember the way she smiled at him the last time I saw her and shake my head.

She didn’t look miserable. She looked like a woman who was in love with her husband, not one who was desperate to escape her relationship at the first opportunity.

“That doesn’t mean she needs to know about the specifics, Andrei. Besides, she’ll be home with Niko. No one’s going to mess with her when he’s around.”

Sure, no one’s going to mess with Niko, but he’s only three. He can’t tie his own shoes, much less defend his mother. If someone really wanted to do something to her, they’d only have to pick him up and take him away to eliminate any threat to him.And depending on who’s going after her, they’d probably do it just to see her worry about him.

She’s nuts about that kid. If she thought someone was going to hurt him, she’d give up anything to protect him.

Even her life.

Part of me wants to argue with him. Insist that he stop being an idiot and get someone to protect her, but what’s the point? Tonight’s already set up to be a shit show. I don’t need to make things worse by picking another fight.

“Whatever, man. Just try not to kill my brother.”

“No promises.”

He hangs up without another word.

God-damn it.